Method of Making a Training Firearm

ABSTRACT

A method is described of making a training firearm that has a replaceable magazine. The training firearm is not an actual firearm but possesses a visual look and tactile fee of an actual firearm, to enable a user to train realistically but safely.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a method of making a training firearmthat has a replaceable magazine. The training firearm is not an actualfirearm but possesses a visual look and tactile fee of an actualfirearm, to enable a user to train realistically but safely.

BACKGROUND

The use of actual firearms during training often results in avoidableinjuries. Consequently, it is safer to train in the accessing, handlingand holstering of firearms using a training firearm, that is not anactual firearm but possesses a visual look and tactile feel of an actualfirearm. This enables one to train realistically but safely.

Ideally, such a training firearm replicates the appearance and handlingcharacteristics of an actual firearm, fits perfectly into a trainee'sservice weapon holster, and has long-term durability, but alsofacilitates training for safely handling, transporting, retaining, andpresenting firearms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While embodiments can take many different forms, specific embodimentsare shown in the drawings and will be described with the understandingthat the present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles ofthe present invention and the best mode of practicing it. No limitationto a specific embodiment illustrated is intended. The following drawingsare not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of making a trainingfirearm that has a replaceable magazine.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary training firearm with its training magazineremoved.

FIG. 3 shows part of an exemplary firearm with a disassembled magazinerelease button.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary schematic representation of a cross-section of amagazine well and a magazine release button for a training firearm.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary schematic representation of a side view of atraining magazine.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary schematic representation of part of a left sidepoured replica of a training firearm, with an inserted weight.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of making a trainingfirearm that has a replaceable magazine, Any actual firearm can bereplicated by a training firearm, including any number of pistols orother handguns or side arms, rifles or other shoulder weapons, and soforth.

An exemplary method of making a training firearm comprises creating (1and 12) permanent open cavity molds of the right and left sides of anactual firearm being replicated. Basing the mold on an actual firearmfacilitates replicating the details of the original firearm, and makesuse of the training firearm more realistic.

The illustrated exemplary method comprises positioning (13) a magazine(or a replica of the magazine) of the actual firearm being replicated inone of the permanent open cavity molds. In a preferred embodiment, amagazine (or replica of the magazine) is positioned in only one of thepermanent open cavity molds, and is done so before a material is pouredinto the mold. The other half of a magazine well is formed when rightand left side poured replicas are combined. However, in otherembodiments, magazines (or replicas) could be positioned in the opencavity mold of each side of the firearm, and/or a magazine or magazines(or replica(s)) could be positioned in a mold or molds after a materialis poured into the molds.

The magazine (or replica of the magazine) typically should bepre-hardened, or should be coated (such as with a silicon coating) toinhibit fusing of the magazine (or replica of the magazine) with thematerial from which the training firearm is being molded. Thisfacilitates withdrawal of the magazine (or replica of the magazine) fromthe fused replica resulting from fusing of the right and left sidepoured replicas.

The exemplary method comprises pouring (14) a material into each of thepermanent open cavity molds to create right and left side pouredreplicas, respectively, of the right and left sides of the actualfirearm being replicated. Various materials may be used includingdifferent polymers, metals or alloys. A preferred material is a highimpact polymer which is durable but relatively inexpensive. It also ispreferred that the chosen material have a distinctive color, such asred, that provides instant recognition that the fused replica is a safetraining firearm rather than an actual firearm.

In some embodiments, a weight 32 is inserted into one or both of thepermanent open cavity molds. FIG. 6 is an exemplary schematicrepresentation of part of a left side poured replica 31 of a trainingfirearm, with an inserted weight 32. The weight 32 can be any heavymaterial, preferably a metal such as steel, most preferably a steelreinforcing bar. In the case of a polymer fused replica, the weight 32makes the weight of the training firearm closer to that of the actualfirearm being replicated, which enhances the training value. The weight32 also increases the durability of the training firearm, and may bepositioned to move the center of gravity of the training firearm closerto the center of gravity of the actual firearm being replicated.

The exemplary method comprises combining (15) the right and left pouredreplicas to fuse them together, and letting them harden (16) to createthe fused replica.

The exemplary method comprises withdrawing (17) the magazine (or replicaof the magazine) from the combined right and left side pour relicas.This leaves a magazine well 71 in a space where the magazine (or replicaof the magazine) had been located before being withdrawn.

The exemplary method comprises forming a training magazine for use withthe training firearm. This comprises creating (21) a training magazinemold of the magazine (or replica of the magazine), pouring (22) amaterial into the training magazine mold and letting it harden (23).FIG. 2 shows an exemplary training firearm 73 with its training magazine72 removed from its magazine well 71. The training magazine 72 isdimensioned for insertion into the magazine well 71 of the fused replicaresulting from the combining (15) and hardening (16) of the right andleft poured replicas and the withdrawal (17) of the magazine (or replicaof the magazine). The training magazine 72 is insertable into themagazine well 71, releasable from the magazine well 71, and replaceable.Various materials may be used for the training magazine 72 includingdifferent polymers, metals or alloys. A preferred material is a polymerwhich is durable but relatively inexpensive. In addition, a weight (suchas a metal, for example) is inserted into the training magazine mold insome embodiments. Interchangeable training magazines 72 are made with orwithout the weight, to simulate, respectively, a magazine with orwithout ammunition.

The exemplary method comprises inserting (18) a magazine release buttonin the fused replica. The magazine release button and the trainingmagazine 72 comprise respective mating features that engage to lock thetraining magazine 72 in the magazine well 71 unless the magazine releasebutton is activated.

One exemplary embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 3-5. FIG. 3 shows partof an exemplary firearm with a disassembled magazine release button.FIG. 4 is an exemplary schematic representation of a cross-section of amagazine well 51 and a magazine release button for a training firearm.FIG. 5 is an exemplary schematic representation of a side view oftraining magazine 41 for a training firearm.

For at least this exemplary embodiment, at least one of steps ofcreating a permanent open cavity mold of a right or left side of theactual firearm being replicated, in the method of making the trainingfirearm, comprises blocking out a path in the corresponding permanentopen cavity mold. That path is dimensioned to create a magazine releasebutton channel into which a magazine release button is inserted.

For this exemplary embodiment, the method of making the training firearmcomprises the step of creating the right side permanent open cavity moldcomprising blocking out a first path in the right side mold that isdimensioned to create a right side of a magazine release button channel;and the step of creating the left side permanent open cavity moldcomprising blocking out a second path in the left side mold that isdimensioned to create a left side of the magazine release buttonchannel. The fusing of the right and left side poured replicas resultsin a fused replica with a magazine release button channel, and themethod of making the training firearm comprises inserting (18) themagazine release button into the magazine release button channel.

For at least this exemplary embodiment, the magazine release buttoncomprises a right side 62, a left side 61, and a shaft 63 that joins theright and left sides (62 and 61) of the magazine release button. Theinserting step (18) comprises inserting the right side 62 of themagazine release button into the right side of the magazine releasebutton channel through a right side of the fused replica, inserting theleft side 61 of the magazine release button into the left side of themagazine release button channel through a left side of the fusedreplica, and joining the right and left sides (62 and 61) of themagazine release button with the shaft 63.

For this exemplary embodiment, the magazine release button alsocomprises a spring 64 surrounding or adjacent to the shaft 63. Themethod of making the training firearm comprises one of the steps ofcreating the right or left side permanent open cavity molds furthercomprising leaving an opening across a part of the corresponding firstor second path. Whereas the path blocks out the magazine release buttonchannel when material is poured into the mold, the opening across partof the path results in a barrier 65 across the magazine release buttonchannel. The shaft 63 extends through the barrier 65, but the spring 64is restrained on one side of the barrier 65. Consequently, pressing oneside of the magazine release button will compress the spring 64, biasingit to restore the magazine release button to its initial position whenthe magazine release button is released (as seen in FIG. 4).

For at least this exemplary embodiment, the magazine release buttoncomprises a projection 66, and the training magazine 41 comprises anindentation 42 that is positioned and dimensioned to engage with theprojection 66 to lock the training magazine 41 in the magazine well 51unless the magazine release button is activated.

It will be understood that the disclosed methods of making a trainingfirearm can be modified without departing from the teachings of theinvention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is only to be limitedas necessitated by the accompanying claims.

1. A method of making a training firearm, the training firearm not beingan actual firearm but possessing a visual look and a tactile feel of anactual firearm being replicated, to enable a user to train realisticallybut safely, the method comprising: creating a first permanent opencavity mold of a right side of the actual firearm being replicated;creating a second permanent open cavity mold of a left side of theactual firearm being replicated; positioning a magazine, or a replica ofthe magazine, of the actual firearm being replicated in one of the firstand second permanent open cavity molds, the magazine, or the replica ofthe magazine, being pre-hardened or being coated to inhibit fusing ofthe magazine, or the replica of the magazine, with a material from whichthe training firearm is being molded; pouring the material into each ofthe first and second permanent open cavity molds, to create right andleft side poured replicas, respectively, of the right and left sides ofthe actual firearm being replicated; combining the right and left sidepoured replicas to fuse them together; withdrawing the magazine, or thereplica of the magazine, from the combined right and left side pouredreplicas, leaving a magazine well in space where the magazine, or thereplica of the magazine, had been located before being withdrawn.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, the method further comprising: providing a trainingmagazine that is dimensioned for insertion into the magazine well of afused replica resulting from the fusing of the right and left sidepoured replicas, the training magazine being insertable into themagazine well, releasable from the magazine well, and replaceable. 3.The method of claim 2, the method further comprising providing amagazine release button in the fused replica, the magazine releasebutton and the training magazine comprising respective mating featuresthat engage to lock the training magazine in the magazine well unlessthe magazine release button is activated.
 4. The method of claim 1, atleast one of the creating steps comprising blocking out a path in thecorresponding permanent open cavity mold, the path being dimensioned tocreate a magazine release button channel.
 5. The method of claim 4, thefusing of the right and left side poured replicas resulting in a fusedreplica with the magazine release button channel, and the method furthercomprising inserting a magazine release button into the magazine releasebutton channel.
 6. The method of claim 5, the method further comprising:providing a training magazine that is dimensioned for insertion into themagazine well of the fused replica, the training magazine beinginsertable into the magazine well, releasable from the magazine well,and replaceable; the magazine release button and the training magazinecomprising respective mating features that engage to lock the trainingmagazine in the magazine well unless the magazine release button isactivated.
 7. The method of claim 1, the step of creating the firstpermanent open cavity mold comprising blocking out a first path in thefirst permanent open cavity mold that is dimensioned to create a rightside of a magazine release button channel; the step of creating thesecond permanent open cavity mold comprising blocking out a second pathin the second permanent open cavity mold that is dimensioned to create aleft side of the magazine release button channel.
 8. The method of claim7, the fusing of the right and left side poured replicas resulting in afused replica with the magazine release button channel; and the methodfurther comprising inserting a magazine release button into the magazinerelease button channel.
 9. The method of claim 8, the magazine releasebutton comprising a right side, a left side, and a shaft joining theright and left sides of the magazine release button, and the step ofinserting the magazine release button comprising: inserting the rightside of the magazine release button into the right side of the magazinerelease button channel through a right side of the fused replica;inserting the left side of the magazine release button into the leftside of the magazine release button channel through a left side of thefused replica; and joining the right and left sides of the magazinerelease button with the shaft.
 10. The method of claim 9, the magazinerelease button further comprising a spring surrounding or adjacent tothe shaft; the step of creating the first permanent open cavity moldfurther comprising leaving an opening across a part of the first path,or the step of creating the second permanent open cavity mold furthercomprising leaving an opening across a part of the second path; theopening across the part of the first or the second path resulting in abarrier across the magazine release button channel of the fused replica;and the shaft extending through the barrier, but the spring beingrestrained on one side of the barrier; wherein pressing one side of themagazine release button will compress the spring, biasing it to restorethe magazine release button to its initial position when the magazinerelease button is released.
 11. The method of claim 9, the methodfurther comprising: providing a training magazine that is dimensionedfor insertion into the magazine well of the fused replica, the trainingmagazine being insertable into the magazine well, releasable from themagazine well, and replaceable; the magazine release button comprising aprojection; the training magazine comprising an indentation that ispositioned and dimensioned to engage with the projection to lock thetraining magazine in the magazine well unless the magazine releasebutton is activated.
 12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:forming a training magazine that is dimensioned for insertion into themagazine well of a fused replica resulting from the fusing of the rightand left side poured replicas, the training magazine being insertableinto the magazine well, releasable from the magazine well, andreplaceable.
 13. The method of claim 12, the forming step comprising:creating a training magazine mold of the magazine or of the replica ofthe magazine; pouring a training magazine material into the trainingmagazine mold and letting the training magazine material harden to formthe training magazine.
 14. The method of claim 13, the training magazinematerial comprising a polymer.
 15. The method of claim 13, the formingstep further comprising: inserting a weight into the training magazinemold.
 16. The method of claim 15, the weight comprising a metal.
 17. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: inserting a weight into one ofthe first and second permanent open cavity molds.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, the weight comprising a metal.
 19. The method of claim 1, thematerial comprising a polymer.
 20. The method of claim 1, the materialbeing a distinctive color that identifies a fused replica, resultingfrom the fusing of the right and left side poured replicas, as being atraining firearm.
 21. A method of forming a training magazine that isdimensioned for insertion into a magazine well of a firearm, or areplica of the firearm, the method comprising: creating a trainingmagazine mold of a magazine, or of a replica of the magazine, of thefirearm or of the replica of the firearm; pouring a training magazinematerial into the training magazine mold and letting the trainingmagazine material harden to form the training magazine; wherein thetraining magazine is insertable into the magazine well, releasable fromthe magazine well, and replaceable.
 22. The method of claim 21, thetraining magazine material comprising a polymer.
 23. The method of claim21, further comprising inserting a weight into the training magazinemold.
 24. The method of claim 23, the weight comprising a metal.
 25. Atraining magazine, comprising: a replica of a magazine of a firearm; thereplica of the magazine being dimensioned for insertion into a magazinewell of the firearm, or of a replica of the firearm; the replica of themagazine being replaceable and being insertable into and releasable fromthe magazine well.
 26. The training magazine of claim 25, comprising apolymer.
 27. The training magazine of claim 25, further comprising aweight inserted into the replica of the magazine, the weight being sizedso that the training magazine with the inserted weight simulates themagazine with ammunition.
 28. The training magazine of claim 27, theweight comprising a metal.
 29. The training magazine of claim 25,further comprising a mating feature that engages a corresponding matingfeature of a magazine release button of the firearm, or of the replicaof the firearm, to lock the training magazine in the magazine wellunless the magazine release button is activated.
 30. The trainingmagazine of claim 29, mating feature of the training magazine comprisingan indentation in the replica of the magazine.